The diamond bracelet glitters in Grace's trembling palm like captured starlight.
"I can't keep this," she whispers. "It belongs to someone worthy."
"Then throw it in the garbage." I turn toward the door. "I don't care what you do with it."
Lucky trots beside me, his tail wagging with excitement. He knows we're leaving this suffocating place forever.
"Noah, wait."
Chloe's voice stops me at the threshold. I don't turn around.
"Can I speak with you? Privately?"
"No."
"Please. Just five minutes. After that, I'll never ask for anything again."
I close my eyes and count to ten. The last thing I want is another scene with the Bennetts watching like vultures.
"Five minutes," I say without turning around. "Then I'm gone."
Relief floods her voice. "Thank you. My room is upstairs."
